Upper Mustang Trek

Trip Overview

“EXPLORE THE FAR CORNERS OF NORTH-WEST HIMALAYA WITHIN THE FORMER KINGDOM OF LO”

Upper Mustang Trek one of the most scenic and thrilling Himalayan trips in Nepal. Where mustang trek leads you through dry and arid landscapes within high eroded and broken canyon and towering cliff of varied colors. Which changes along with the sunlight. Mustang Trek will be an enjoyable journey into hidden areas of Nepal Far North-Western Himalaya close to the border of Tibet, where the route leads on old Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan Trail that still exists at present where the road to Tibet continues far beyond Mustang towards Karo-la pass.

Upper Mustang Trekking actually an extension of the vast South West Tibetan plateau. Where culture and religions are similar as you explore around its impressive villages lined with prayer walls and series on prayer wheels with impressive Buddhist inscriptions and carving on rocks and walls. Upper Mustang Trek involves a scenic short flight from nice and lovely Pokhara city to land at Jomsom small airstrip, within headquarter town of Mustang district and home of Thakali people who have been in trade with Tibet since ancient times. The walk begins heading within a wide Kaligandaki River Valley to reach the entrance village of Upper Mustang at Kagbeni.

The Annapurna Circuit Trek is part of Upper Mustang trek as Jomsom, Kagbeni, and Muktinath. where you can observe an interesting culture of Tibetan origin. Where walk leads through the dry and arid country visiting nice villages with well-tended barley and buckwheat fields. Crossing over a few smaller passes to reach into the walled and former kingdom at Lo-Manthang.  At Lo-Manthang enjoy exciting moments visiting its old impressive monasteries and villages with the old palace of former Mustang Raja (king). After then head back on the same trail to Jomsom for an early flight to reach Pokhara, after a mesmerizing and remarkable adventure on Upper Mustang Trek.

Trip Highlights:

Adventure around the former walled kingdom of Lo-Manthang within Upper Mustang
Exceptional scenery of barren and windswept terrain and scenic landscapes
Explore age-old villages of Upper Mustang with scenic views of Mustang Himal
Daily grand views of Dhaulagiri-Nilgiri’s with Damodar and Bhirkuti peaks on walks
Enjoy trek within eroded canyons and towering broken cliffs of varied colors
Super panoramic flight to and from beautiful Pokhara-Jomsom with grand views”

Please Note:

Upper Mustang where the motorable road has reached from Jomsom making possible for the drive-in jeeps or similar vehicles, on this walk we will try to avoid the motor road as much possible using the old original trekking trails. For interest, people can take the opportunity of driving to Lo-Manthang along with trekking for some days.

Trip Preview:

Mode of accommodation:  Hotels and local Lodge on treks.
Trek Grade: Moderate with a touch of high altitude.
The highest spot on treks: Over Nyli-La 3,950 m high.
Trek Duration:  10 Nights and 11 Days (Pokhara to Pokhara).
People and Culture:   Populated by Mustang and Thakali people of Buddhism religion with colorful culture and
ancient traditional heritage custom.
Best Seasons:   April to November of the year including monsoon months of June to August as Upper Mustang falls within the Rain-Shadow area where monsoon rain clouds blocked by high Himalayas peaks.

Total Trip:  14 Nights and 15 Days (arrival to final departure)

Details Itinerary

Short Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Drive or Fly to scenic Pokhara 860 m and transfer to hotel- 06 hrs.
Day 03: Morning flight to Jomsom 2,715 m and trek to Kagbeni – 04 hrs.

Day 04: Trek to Chele /Tsele 3,050 m – 06 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Gelling 3,540 m – 05 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Charang / Tsarang 3,560 m – 06 hrs.

Day 07: Trek to Lo-Manthang 3,700 m – 05 hrs.

Day 08: At Lo-Manthang rest day for acclimatization and excursion.

Day 09: Trek to Ghami 3,440 m – 06 hrs.

Day 10: Trek to Samar 3,150 m -06 hrs.

Day 11: Trek to Kagbeni -06 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Jomsom -04 hrs with a free afternoon.

Day 13: Fly back to Pokhara and transfer to the hotel by the Phewa Lakeside.

Day 14: Fly or drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 15: Final departure homeward bound or to respective destinations.

Detail Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu with transfer to the hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu international airport get transferred to hotels after received by our guides and staff, at hotel check-in and join in for group briefing regarding treks and other useful information, with welcome dinner.

Day 02: Drive to Fly to Pokhara 860 m – 06 hrs ride and 30 mins via air.

An early morning departure from the hotel taking an overland drive to reach Nepal Mid-West at scenic Pokhara, during six hours, drive views of snow-capped peaks, then arriving by the lakeside of Phewa in Pokhara, where many good hotels located with grand views of Annapurna peaks. (Flying options of 30 mins panoramic flight to land at Pokhara from Kathmandu)

Day 03: Morning Flight to Jomsom 2,700 and trek to Kagbeni 2,830 m – 04 hrs.

Morning departs for a scenic flight to Jomsom from Pokhara airport where Jomsom situated on the shelf of Kali-Gandaki River. At Jomsom with a short break and then start the first-day walk heading towards wide Kali-Gandaki River valley following a river bed all the way to reach at Kagbeni village. Kagbeni, located on the entrance to Upper Mustang and beyond to Tibet border on this old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet.

Day 04: Trek to Chele / Tsele 3,050 m – 06 hrs.

After overnight at Kagbeni and its exciting village, morning walk starts with short uphill into open areas within the towering colorful canyon and high eroded cliffs to reach at Tiri-Gaon village, walk within beautiful landscapes with up and downs and on winding path to Chele village, a moderate size village here from onward into more Buddhism culture.

Day 05: Trek to Gelling 3,540 m – 05 hrs.

From Chele or Tsele, start walk with short climb to reach Gyakar village, and then into windswept terrain within dry and arid country, as walk slowly head to Samar village, one of the attractive looking villages, and then a steep climb leads to a ridge on top Yamada La at 3,860 m small pass, enjoying great scenery descend to Syangboche village another interesting village, as walk finally ends at Gelling for overnight stop in this lovely traditional village.

Day 06: Trek to Charang / Tsarang 3,560 m – 06 hrs.

After a wonderful stop at Charang, morning visit around its old monastery observe Buddhist prayer wheels propelled by fast-flowing streams of water, after an interesting tour of the Gompa/monastery, the walk continues to Ghami village. As walk proceeds to cross over Ghaymi Khola (stream) and then leading to long rows of Mani walls (holy prayer stones), from here walk past Dhakmar village, to reach Tsarang village for an overnight stop.

Day 07: Trek to Lo-Manthang 3,700 m – 04 hrs.

From Charang journey leads to former walled city of Lo-Manthang, actually a large village inside the fort known as Dzong that guards Lo-Manthang against outside invaders in the early days. A few hours of the good walk takes you into Lo Manthang, a former kingdom where great Raja (king) of Mustang ruled the whole kingdom of Lo known as Mustang.

As walk progress crossing a strong steel bridge to Marang village, from here climb to a ridge top, past chhorten and mani stones prayer walls in between Tsarang and Lo Manthang.

Day 08: At Lo-Manthang for acclimatization and excursion.

At Lo Manthang former kingdom of Lo or Upper Mustang, enjoy a free day exploring its narrow neat street within villages of great interest with Tibetan design and carving. Visit its historical and cultural center one of the main attractions of Lo-Manthang, with four grand monasteries of Namgyal Gompa, Champa Lakhang (God House), Red Thubchen Gompa, Chyodi Gompa, and its Great Entrance Hall. Special permission to enter Raja or king’s palace visit the interior of the old palace and to grant an audience with late Raja of Mustang family if possible.

Day 09: Trek to Ghami 3,440 m – 06 hrs.
After a fascinating time at Lo-Manthang, walk towards lower areas to reach Jomsom with few short climbs to reach at Ghami for an overnight stop, one of the important villages of the Upper Mustang region.

Day 10: Trek to Samar 3,150 m -05 hrs.
Morning walk leads on the same trail with a climb up to Nyi La pass and then contour upwards to reach the path coming from Tsarang village, from ridgetop descend to Gelling Valley. The walk continues past Gelling to reach an isolated Tea House and then with slow downhill reaching at Tama Gung.

With steep switchbacks as our route to a climb coming across a largely painted chhorten and then on a straightforward route to our overnight stop at Samar village.

Day 11: Trek to Kagbeni -05 hrs and transfer to lodge.
Enjoying time at Upper Mustang country and its interesting villages with super views, slowly our journey leads back to Kagbeni on downhill trail as walk leads on the same route past Chele village to reach at Mustang Khola, from here on gradual path between towering canyons and eroded high cliffs to reach at Kagbeni after a great time on Upper Mustang.

Day 12: Trek to Jomsom 2, 715 m – 04 hours.
From Kagbeni rest of the trek is much easier on gradual and downhill walks reaching around Kaligandaki river valley, from the valley floor on windswept Kaligandaki river valley to reach at Jomsom, a headquarter town of Mustang district with a small an airstrip on the shelf of Kaligandaki River.

Jomsom and Kaligandaki areas, famous for delicious apple and fine products cider, brandy and juice an interesting town of Thakali people to explore around, located on old Trans Himalaya Salt / Caravan route of Nepal and Tibet beyond Upper Mustang.

Day 13: Morning short walk to Jomsom airport 2,715 m and fly to Pokhara.
Morning from the lodge at Jomsom, transfer to Jomsom airport for a scenic short flight to land at Pokhara, one of the most beautiful city, blessed with a verdant valley, high mountains and serene lakes, free afternoon with an optional sightseeing tour of Pokhara on request.

Day 14: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu afternoon free at leisure.
Morning from Pokhara an exciting overland journey back to Kathmandu on route observe farm villages and towns and then reach Kathmandu by afternoon, rest of the day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

Day 15: Final departure homeward bound or to respective destinations.
Last day in the land of Himalayan wonders, as per your international flight time depart from the hotel for an airport for your international flight back to home countries or other respective destinations.

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